Dr. Amy Fisher Pace, 85

Dr. Amy Fisher Pace, 85, died on Saturday, August 24, 2019, at Pardee Hospital, UNC Health Care. She was a native of Henderson County and the daughter of the late Samuel Leander Fisher and Ada B. McCraw Fisher. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Daniel E. Pace.

Dr. Pace was first and foremost a student herself. She loved learning and education was her passion. She was a 1952 graduate of Hendersonville High School where she was the valedictorian and editor of The Red and White. She was the first person on either side of her family to attend college, ultimately earning a doctorate in a generation that few women attained such degrees.

She attended Mars Hill College, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education, a Master of Arts Degree from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Doctorate Degree in Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. She also took courses at a number of universities including: Columbia University, the University of California at Davis, California State University, at Chico, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Western Carolina University, and the University of Pennsylvania.

She received a number of fellowships, including a Fulbright Scholarship to study and travel in China. She was a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the North Carolina English Teachers’ Association, the National Education Association, the State and Local Education Associations, the International Reading Association, Phi Beta Kappa, the English Honor Society, and the Harcourt Foundation Scholarship. She was inducted into the first class as a member of the local Education Hall of Fame in Henderson County.

She taught high school English in Henderson County, as well as Virginia and California. She also taught college courses in North Carolina as well as Georgia.

She and her husband, Dan, returned to Henderson County in 1979 to care for their families. Superintendent Glenn C. Marlow created a position for Amy as Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction. She was an advocate for the arts, championing the comprehensive education that emphasized academics and the arts. “The arts were a particular commitment of mine,” she admitted warmly. She has written for several state and national publications on curriculum and English.

She retired in 1997, after 42 years in public education, with joy as well as mixed feelings. The Henderson County Superintendent at that time, Dr. Dan Lunsford, said, “Dr. Pace is known across North Carolina as a true instructional advocate and curriculum expert…. She has a great sensitivity to the needs of children, first and foremost, and of the importance of education for a successful life.”

Following retirement, she volunteered for many local organizations throughout the community. She was an active member of St. James Episcopal Church, where she served as a past Senior Warden duly elected by the church’s vestry as well as a lay reader. She was a member of the initial Walk of Fame Committee and the Hunger Coalition. After she moved to Carolina village, she remained active serving on the Carolina Village Board for more than one term. She held many committee memberships and led the Education Committee at Carolina Village for nine years. She urged Carolina Village residents to, “Stay alive as long as you live,” which remains the slogan of the wellness program there.

She was a strong and quiet leader. She was keenly aware of the needs of both teachers and students. She advocated for all the students but particularly for those who needed extra attention and nurturing. She lived an example of service and grace in her community. Her life can only inspire others to serve.

She is survived by Benny and Ai Yen Hendrix of Rutherfordton, whom she considered her children, seven living first cousins: Ann Fisher Raines, Bessie L. Fisher, Roger Fisher, Lin Fisher, Nancy Fisher, Wanda Fisher Wehunt, and Ramona Fisher Gilbert as well as numerous friends and colleagues.

Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at St. James Episcopal Church officiated by The Reverend Dr. Carol Jablonski and the Reverend Christiana Olsen. Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park. The family will receive friends immediately following the interment in the Stillwell Hall of the church.

In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations in Amy’s memory be directed to the Community Foundation of Henderson County, Post Office Box 1108, Hendersonville, N.C., 28793, and designated for the Dan and Amy Fisher Pace Scholarship Fund.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos.Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

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Thomas Patrick Ryan, 87

Thomas Patrick Ryan, 87, of Hendersonville died peacefully on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at Pardee UNC Health Care in Hendersonville. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Aloysius and Isabelle Young Ryan, and his brothers, Jack Young and Michael Ryan.
Thomas grew up in Corning, New York and earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from Tri-State University in Indiana and then completed a Masters of Business Administration from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. He was a loyal employee at the Xerox Corporation in Rochester, New York for over 30 years. During that time, Tom was a dedicated runner and even completed the 1983 Boston Marathon. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force in the Korean Conflict. He and his wife, Dorothy, re-located to Western North Carolina in 2000. He was an avid clogger for many years and performed in New York and North Carolina. He loved to read and enjoyed listening to country music. Thomas was also an active member of Immaculate Conception Church in Hendersonville.
He is survived by his loving wife of over 63 years, Dorothy, and one sister Joan and her husband, John. Two sons: Dennis and Edward, as well as three daughters: Eileen and her husband, Scott, Patricia and her husband, Raymond, and Susan and her husband, Walter. He is also survived by six grandchildren.
A mass in the memory of Thomas will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, October 14, 2019 at Immaculate Conception Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Thomas’ memory be directed to the Friends of the Henderson County Public Library – Main Branch, mailed to 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville, NC 29739.
An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of the arrangements.

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Paul Luther Hensley “Pops” 80

Paul Luther Hensley “Pops” 80, of Hendersonville, died Friday, August 23, 2019 at the Elizabeth House. He was born December 18, 1938 in Madison County, the son of the late Millard and Edna Hensley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Pauline Bowen Hensley, his wife of thirty-two years; four siblings, Geneva Rice, Christine Raidford, Sunny Hensley, and Ruby Roberts.

Paul was an attended of The First Church of the Nazarene and Zion Hill Baptist Church. He retired from the North Carolina Department of Public Transportation as a road construction supervisor. He was a beloved volunteer front door greeter at KC Hair Salon, where many knew him as “Papa with the hat”. He also volunteered for numerous years at Valley Hill Fire Department, as well as belonging as a 33rd Degree Member of the Kedron Masonic Lodge #387 AF&AM. He coached the Henderson County All-star Softball Team from 1973-1983. On Saturdays he could be found at every grocery store in the county searching the best deals and sampling free coffee. He was known to be an avid mall walker at Blue Ridge Mall, rare coin collector, and loved to pass out sour candy to everyone he met.

He is survived by his wife Sue Blackwell Hensley, of twenty-four years; sisters Joe Elliot, Selma Dobbins, and Madelyn Wilson; his son Terry Hensley; and daughters: Tammy and her husband Glenn Stepp; Cindy and her husband Robert Galloway; Kim and her husband Clyde Lanning; along with special son Jimmy Hensley and special daughter Pam Cairnes; stepsons Gary Cox, Kip Cox and wife Lynn, and Jeff Cox; and stepdaughter Kitten Trantham; five grandchildren, Tabitha and her husband Brian Tate; Whitney and her husband Mark Hakala; Jordan Henderson and wife Julianna; Justin Lanning; and Lauren and her husband Jordan Davidson; three step-grandchildren, Ryan Stepp, Justin Stepp, and Heather Allen; and five great- grandchildren include Riley Hernandez, Taylor Henderson, Kolby Hakala, Cole Henderson, and soon to be Emersyn Davidson.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Monday, August 26, 2019 at the First Nazarene Church of Hendersonville with Rev. Joe Quinn and Rev. Blair Stewart officiating. Burial will follow at Shaw’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. on Sunday, August 25, 2019 at the First Nazarene Church of Hendersonville and at other times at the homes of Sue Hensley, as well as Kim & Clyde Lanning’s residences.

In lieu of flower, the family requests that donations in Paul’s memory be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

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Lawrence “Larry” Hazelhurst McKay, Jr., 84

Lawrence “Larry” Hazelhurst McKay, Jr., 84, went home to his Lord on Friday, August 23, 2019, surrounded by his family at home. A Henderson county native with deep roots in the community, he was a son of the late Laurence Hazlehurst and Mary Smyth McKay, Sr. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two brothers, William McKay and Adger Smyth McKay as well as one sister, Mary McKay Williams. He was also a great- grandson of the late Captain Ellison Edgar Smyth, who established the Balfour Mills in 1923, and known as “the pioneer of the textile industry” which is currently in operation today as a Kimberly-Clark plant in Balfour.

In 1953 Larry graduated from Hendersonville High School then went on to serve our country in the United States Marine Corps. After graduating from Clemson University, Larry took over his family farm and was a successful dairy farmer for many years. His specialty was caring for “Sickly” cows, improving their health and increasing their productivity. Upon leaving the dairy business, he introduced Western North Carolina to the prepaid phone card business until cell phones became predominant in the area. At this time, he served as the youngest elder of First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville and was on the steering committee to form Covenant Presbyterian Church. After serving with the Presbyterian Church, he became a Deacon with Bethany Bible Church until his recent retirement. He was a much loved Sunday school teacher and was well qualified to preach when needed. The Wilds Christian Camp and Conference Center in Brevard, selected him to serve on their Board of Directors, which was a great joy and honor for him. For many years, Larry also served as President of the Faith Christian School Board of Directors. Later he served as Chaplain of the local Gideon Camp. He loved his Lord first and foremost, then his family and church.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jane Poplin McKay; four children: Daniel L. McKay, Sr. and his wife Marcia, Dorcas McKay Hoyt and her husband Jeff, Ruth McKay Garren and Ben McKay. He is also survived by sixteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at Covenant Presbyterian Church with Rev. Russell Baun officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00 to 1:45 P.M. prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Larry’s memory be made to Samaritan’s Purse at Samaritanspurse.org. or to the Gideon Ministry, the evelopes are in most church vestibules or go to gideons.org.

 An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Center is in charge of the arrangements.

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